Share this article

German football's top flight kicks off this Friday evening as all-powerful Bayern Munich host baby-faced upstarts TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Here's our dummy's guide to the teams hoping to end Bayern's six-year hegemony in the Bundesliga.

Boring, boring Bundesliga. That has been the tenor in German football over the last few years, as bully boys Bayern Munich have rampaged from league title to league title.

The 28-time German champions have won the Bundesliga in each of the last six seasons, often by a depressingly large points margin.

Bayern's grip on the Bundesliga trophy (or 'salad bowl') has been suffocating in recent years. Photo: DPA

Bayern's financial muscle and relentless winning mentality make them the unassailable force at the top of the German game. But could this be the year they finally slip up again?

New coach, new problems?

With a squad in transition and a new coach, Niko Kovac, who is relatively unproven at the highest level, there is a tiny chance that Bayern could struggle this year.

Kovac may have led underdogs Eintracht Frankfurt to a fairytale triumph in the cup last season, but some will still question whether he has the authority to manage a dressing room full of superstar egos, from Arjen Robben to Thomas Müller via Jerome Boateng and Thiago Alcantara.

Will the champions slip up under new coach Niko Kovac? Photo: DPA

Last autumn, Bayern had to haul former coach Jupp Heynckes out of retirement to stave off a growing crisis, but there will be no Plan B this year if things go pear-shaped under Kovac.

Performances in pre-season have been mixed. Imperious in the German Supercup two weeks ago, Bayern were left red-faced last weekend as they struggled to beat fourth division Drochtersen/Assel in the cup.

So if Bayern slip up, who will step up? Here's our introduction to the main challengers, to help you hold your own in any title race discussions down your local Kneipe.

Borussia Dortmund

2002, 2012... 2019? Dortmund fans yearn for another title. Photo: DPA

The last team to beat Bayern to the title was Borussia Dortmund, who were crowned champions of Germany in 2011 and 2012.

After a chaotic last few years, the cult club from the heart of Germany's industrial Ruhr region are hoping to relive old glory under new coach Lucien Favre.

With their iconic black and yellow jerseys, famous “Yellow Wall”, and carefully crafted image as a likeable alternative to Bayern, Dortmund have established themselves as a favourite among international fans in recent years, and they have plenty of anglo-saxon appeal in attack with England's Jadon Sancho and the USA's Christian Pulisic.

Chances of beating Bayern: Medium

Clever thing to say about them down the pub: “I don't care what you say about sentimentality, Marcel Schmelzer just isn't the player he once was.”

Schalke 04

Can Schalke rise above rivals Dortmund again, as Naldo did in the derby last year? Photo: DPA

Under their fiery, tactically astute coaching prodigy Domenico Tedesco, Dortmund's arch rivals Schalke finished second to Bayern in the Bundesliga last season.

A grand old icon of German club football, Schalke have famously not been crowned champions since 1958, though they came agonisingly close in 2001.

With key players such as Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer having left in the summer, it seems a long shot that the club from Gelsenkirchen can break their title curse this year. Yet a promising future does beckon under Tedesco.

Chances of beating Bayern: Medium to low

Clever thing to say about them down the pub: “It's time for Tedesco to do more than just win ugly"

Bayern's opponents on Friday, lowly Hoffenheim have not just exceeded expectations in recent years, they have blown them apart.

When Julian Nagelsmann took over as head coach at the age of just 29 two years ago, the club looked destined for relegation, but now they are playing in Europe, and Nagelsmann is an international star.

The youngest coach in Bundesliga history, Nagelsmann turned down Real Madrid this summer, agreeing instead to join RB Leipzig at the end of the season. In his last year at Hoffenheim, he says, he wants to win the title.

Chances of beating Bayern: Lower than Nagelsmann would have you believe

Clever thing to say about them down the pub: “They were always going to struggle playing in three different competitions”

RB Leipzig

Celebrating at the end of the season? RB Leipzig challenged for the title two years ago. Photo: DPA

Another team whose badge incorporates the logo of a multinational company, Leverkusen are our picks to be this season's dark horses.

After an up-and-down but ultimately acceptable first year under Heiko Herrlich, Leverkusen have been quietly building one of the most promising squads in the league.

The youthful flair and pace of Julian Brandt and Leon Bailey in attack is complemented nicely by the reliable experience of the Bender twins (yes, really) in midfield. Add to that good signings such as goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, and you have a recipe for success.

On the other hand, Leverkusen are nicknamed “Neverkusen” in English, due to their chronic ability to narrowly miss out on titles. So don't bet your house on it.

Chances of beating Bayern: Higher than Herrlich would have you believe

Clever thing to say about them down the pub: “Bailey and Brandt will be gone by next summer”

So where can you watch it?

As avid readers will know, The Local doesn't provide extensive sports coverage, though we will keep you abreast of key developments at the business end of the season.